Mirroring of live data to guide data in a broadcast system

ABSTRACT

A viewership rating system presented on a monitor. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a program guide, presented on the monitor, wherein the program guide comprises a plurality of broadcast programs, and a plurality of rating indicators, each of the plurality of rating indicators presented on the monitor in a respective fashion with the plurality of broadcast programs, wherein the plurality of rating indicators shows a relative popularity of each of the plurality of broadcast programs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates generally to satellite video systems, andin particular, to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture fordetermining viewership of individual programs in a real-timeenvironment.

2. Description of the Related Art.

Satellite broadcasting of communications signals has become commonplace.Satellite distribution of commercial signals for use in televisionprogramming currently utilizes multiple feedhorns on a single OutdoorUnit (ODU) which supply signals to up to eight IRDs on separate cablesfrom a multiswitch.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical satellite television installation of therelated art.

System 100 uses signals sent from Satellite A (SatA) 102, Satellite B(SatB) 104, and Satellite C (SatC) 106 that are directly broadcast to anOutdoor Unit (ODU) 108 that is typically attached to the outside of ahouse 110. ODU 108 receives these signals and sends the received signalsto IRD 112, which decodes the signals and separates the signals intoviewer channels, which are then passed to monitor 114 for viewing by auser. There can be more than one satellite transmitting from eachorbital location and additional orbital locations without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

Satellite uplink signals 116 are transmitted by one or more uplinkfacilities 118 to the satellites 102-106 that are typically ingeosynchronous orbit. Satellites 102-106 amplify and rebroadcast theuplink signals 116, through transponders located on the satellite, asdownlink signals 120. Depending on the satellite 102-106 antennapattern, the downlink signals 120 are directed towards geographic areasfor reception by the ODU 108.

Alternatively, uplink facilities 118 can send signals via cable 122either in conjunction with uplink signals 116 or instead of uplinksignals 116 to IRD 112, for display on monitor 114.

Each satellite 102-106 broadcasts downlink signals 120 in typicallythirty-two (32) different frequencies, which are licensed to varioususers for broadcasting of programming, which can be audio, video, ordata signals, or any combination. These signals are typically located inthe Ku-band of frequencies, i.e., 11-18 GHz, or in the Ka-band offrequencies, i.e., 18-40 GHz, but typically 20-30 GHz.

As satellites 102-106 broadcast additional services and additionalchannels to viewers, viewers will like and expect to see programming onmonitor 114 that relate to their specific needs and desires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize otherlimitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding thepresent specification, the present invention comprises a viewershiprating system presented on a monitor. A system in accordance with thepresent invention comprises a program guide, presented on the monitor,wherein the program guide comprises a plurality of broadcast programs,and a plurality of rating indicators, each of the plurality of ratingindicators presented on the monitor in a respective fashion with theplurality of broadcast programs, wherein the plurality of ratingindicators shows a relative popularity of each of the plurality ofbroadcast programs. Such a system further optionally includes thecurrent viewership being determined by callback information gatheredfrom a plurality of receivers that are receiving the broadcast programs,a cursor, wherein the cursor can select one of the plurality ofbroadcast programs, selection of one of the broadcast programs from theplurality of broadcast programs creating a new condition to be displayedon the monitor, the new condition comprising presenting the selectedbroadcast program on the monitor, an indicator showing a trend relatedto at least one broadcast program in the plurality of broadcastprograms, the dynamic viewership rating system being accessed by aselection of a remote control guide button, and a separate remotecontrol button selecting a separate page display directly from a guidedata display.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the system disclosed orwill become apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical satellite television installation of therelated art;

FIG. 2A illustrates a typical six-cell matrix with a generic video feedin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a remote control used in the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate on-monitor displays of a data presentation pagein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a typical data flow for the present invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a guide data display of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown, by way ofillustration, several embodiments of the present invention. It isunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Overview

The present invention is a dynamic viewership rating system presented ona monitor.

Interactive Mosaic Channel Display Diagram

FIG. 2A illustrates a typical matrix with a generic video feed inaccordance with the present invention.

Interactive mosaic channel 200 is shown as being displayed on monitor114. Within interactive mosaic channel 200, there are a number of videocells 202A-202F and a text box 204, also referred to as an On ScreenDisplay (OSD) 204. Optionally, the interactive mosaic channel 200further comprises a separate video cell 206, also called a “barker cell”206, a background video 208, and a control bar 210. The video cells202A-F optionally comprise a channel identification (channel ID) portion212. Further, cursor 214 is also optionally included to allow forinteraction with each of the video cells 202A-202F and barker cell 206.

The number of video cells 202A-F can change based on the number of videocells 202 A-F desired. As the number of video cells 202A-F increases, ofcourse, there must be a reduction in the size of the video cells 202A-Fto ensure that the video cells are differentiated on the monitor 114. Asthe number of video cells 202A-F decreases, the size of the video cells202A-F can increase, since there is more space available on monitor 114to display video cells 202A-F.

Further, the placement of video cells 202A-F, barker cell 206, text box204, and control bar 210 is not limited to the positions on monitor 114as shown in FIG. 2A. These elements can be displayed anywhere on monitor114 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As there are multiple video feeds and video cell 202A-F and barker cell206 being presented, each video cell 202A-F and barker cell 206, as wellas background video 208 and possibly control bar 210, have associatedaudio portions that can be played. Presenting more than one audio streammay be confusing; as such, it is typical that only one audio stream ofinformation is presented at a given time. However, each of the videofeeds may also have closed-captioning information associated with it,and selection of a closed-captioned presentation, rather than an audiopresentation, can be performed as described herein.

Video Cells

Video cells 202A-F each comprise a separate viewer channel ofprogramming. So for example, in an interactive mosaic channel that isfocused on news programming, cell 1 could contain the video programmingassociated with the viewer channel of FOX News Channel, cell 2 couldcontain the video programming associated with the viewer channel of CNN,cell 3 could contain the video programming associated with the viewerchannel of Headline News, cell 4 could contain the video programmingassociated with the viewer channel of MSNBC, cell 5 could contain thevideo programming associated with the viewer channel of The WeatherChannel, and cell 6 could contain the video programming associated withthe viewer channel of C-SPAN. The placement and video programmingcontent for each video cell 202A-F can depend on a wide variety offactors, such as Nielsen ratings for a given channel, whether a givenchannel is available on a specific viewer's programming package, viewerchannel number (lowest to highest or highest to lowest) or can bedecided or changed based on programming that is present on one or moreof the viewer channels available for the interactive mosaic channel. Forexample, and not by way of limitation, an important vote on the floor ofthe Senate may be taking place, and a decision can be made to change theplacement of C-SPAN from video cell 202F to video cell 202A for a periodof time. Changes in presentation for the interactive mosaic channel 200are discussed below.

Within each of the video cells 202A-F is a channel identification (ID)box 212. Typically, the channel ID box 212 indicates to the viewer themoniker or name that is associated with the video feed being shown inthat respective video cell 202A-F, and the viewer channel numberassociated with the video feed being shown in that respective video cell202A-F. For example and not by way of limitation, in video cell 202A,which as described above, is showing the video feed for ESPN, channel IDbox 212 would indicate “ESPN” as well as, optionally, a channel number,e.g., “206” to indicate to the viewer that the video feed being shown invideo cell 202A is that of ESPN, and that the viewer is accustomed toseeing this full-monitor 114 video programming on viewer channel 206.

Other information may also appear in channel ID box 212, such as anindication that the video feed that is being presented in the associatedvideo cell 202A-F is a “user favorite” channel, the channel ID box 212may be presented in a different color or video texture to indicate thatthe video feed that is being presented in the associated video cell202A-F is a channel that presents programming that adults may wish toblock from their children's view or has closed-captioning available,etc. Many possibilities are available within the scope of the presentinvention to present various types of video information within channelID box 212 for viewer selection and benefit. The channel ID box 212 mayalso appear without a video cell 202A-F for those video feeds that arechannel blocked via parental control, or otherwise unavailable to aspecific viewer because of the viewer's programming package or otherreasons.

Text Box

Text box 204 contains textual information that is useful to the viewer,and this information can change depending on the viewer's selection ofinteractive services as described herein. For example, the text box 204can contain a generic statement about the genre of the interactivemosaic channel 200, or statements directed to a selected video cell202A-F or information related to the channel ID box 212 to describe to auser the meaning of the information presented in the channel ID box 212or other information related to the video cell 202A-F and channel ID box212. The text box can also scroll to present additional information tothe viewer that does not all fit within text box 204 at a given time.

There can also be default text associated with each interactive mosaicchannel 200, and, depending on the capabilities of IRD 112, each time aninteractive mosaic channel 200 is tuned to, a default descriptive textshall be displayed in the text box 204.

Barker Cell

Barker cell 206 is a presentation of video data that can relate to thevideo cells 202A-F that are present in interactive mosaic channel 200.For those interactive mosaic channels 200 that have the optional barkercell 206, the barker cell 206 can use audio or video clues to direct theuser to one of the video cells 202A-F for more information on a giventopic, or provide an overview of the information presented within thevideo cells 202A-F. For example, the audio and video associated withbarker cell 206 in a news format can be a series of stories that arebeing covered in more depth on the viewer channels being shown in videocells 202A-F, and the barker cell 206 audio and video can then directthe viewer to tune the IRD 112 or monitor 114 to a specific video cell202A-F for more information on that topic. The barker cell 206 can alsobe used to provide an overview of the news stories, either thosepresented in video cells 202A-F or other news stories of interest,without directing the viewer to one of the video presentations beingdiscussed in the video feeds shown in video cells 202A-F.

Barker cell 206 can present audio and video information that is notavailable on any other viewer channel that is accessible to IRD 112 ormonitor 114, other than within the barker cell 206 of the interactivemosaic channel 200. When the barker cell 206 presents audio and videoinformation that is not present on any other viewer channel accessibleto IRD 112 or monitor 114, then the barker cell 206 does not have anassociated channel ID box 212.

Background Video

Background video 208 is typically a backdrop for the interactive mosaicchannel 200. The background video 208 can be related to the genre of theinteractive mosaic channel 200; for example, in a news environment, thebackground video 208 can be related to a top news story, the stockmarket exchange building, a prominent government building, etc. Thebackground video 208 can be changed or can be a dynamic video dependingon the desires of the editorial staff or viewer preferences. Further,the background video 208 can be a logo or other indicator of the sourceof the interactive mosaic channel 200, such as DIRECTV.

Interactive Features

FIG. 2B illustrates a remote control used in the present invention.

Typically, IRD 112 and monitor 114 are controlled by a remote controldevice 224, which allows viewers a convenient way to control audiovolume, channel selection, and other features and displaycharacteristics from a distance away from the IRD 112 and/or monitor114.

Each video cell 202A-F has an associated channel ID box 212, and one ofthe video cells, cell 202D, has a cursor 214 surrounding that specificvideo cell 202 and, optionally, channel ID box 212. The cursor 214indicates that the specific video cell 202 and channel ID 212 has beenselected by the viewer. The cursor 214 is typically controlled bybuttons 226-232, but can be controlled by other buttons on the remotecontrol 224 if desired.

By selecting a given video cell 202A-F, the viewer is selecting aspecific characteristic associated with that given video cell 202A-F, orassociated video feed used to generate that video cell 202A-F. In mostinstances, when the viewer selects a given video cell 202, the audioportion associated with the selected video cell 202 will be presented tothe viewer, rather than the audio portion associated with the barkercell 206 or a generic audio track that is associated with interactivemosaic channel 200. Further, selection of a given video cell 202A-F withcursor 214 may also select a closed captioning data stream associatedwith the selected video cell 202, depending on the availability of sucha data stream and/or other settings that a viewer has selected. Cursor214 can be moved to any of the video cells 202A-F, and, optionally, canbe moved to select text box 204 or control bar 210.

When cursor 214 is moved to a given video cell 202A-F via buttons226-232, text box 204 also may undergo a change in information.Typically, when the video cell 202A-F is selected by the viewer,indicated by the presence of cursor 214, text box 204 will present theinformation in the Advanced Program Guide (APG) that is associated withthe viewer channel selected by cursor 214. The APG typically includesinformation on the program or “show” that is currently being presentedby the viewer channel shown in video cell 202A-F, as well as the timethat show is being aired and the next show to be aired on that viewerchannel. Other information, either in the APG or external to the APG,can also be displayed in the text box 204 when the cursor is moved to agiven video cell 202A-F.

As such, the viewer can “interact” with the interactive mosaic channel200 and decide which audio track to listen to, find out a plot line ofeach of the shows being presented in the various video cells 202, findout what is going to be aired next in the various viewer channels beingpresented in video cells 202, or listen to generic audio from the barkercell 206 or associated with the interactive mosaic channel 200 itselfwhile variously viewing the video presentations in the video cells 202.If a specific video cell 202 presents video information that is ofinterest to a viewer, then the viewer can move cursor 214, via a remotecontrol command, to a given video cell 202, and listen to the audioassociated with that video cell 202 and find out more about that viewerchannel in text box 204.

If the viewer decides that the selected video cell 202 is of enoughinterest, the viewer can then directly tune to the selected video cell202, i.e., tune directly to that viewer channel that is providing thevideo and audio used to create video cell 202, by pressing a singlebutton on the remote control 224 (typically the “select” button on aDIRECTV remote control). This will tune the IRD 112 or monitor 114 tothat viewer channel, which will then be presented full-screen to theviewer as in a normal television monitor 114 viewing format.

The barker cell 206, since it typically contains audio and videoinformation that is not located on any viewer channel other than theinteractive mosaic channel 200, cannot typically be selected for fullscreen viewing by the viewer on monitor 114. However, the barker cell206 can be selected for full monitor 114 viewing, or at least enough ofthe monitor 114 to allow for changes in the video cells 202 as describedbelow, to allow for changes in the interactive mosaic channel 200 and inthe control bar 210 in near-real-time.

Control Bar

The Control Bar 210 (also called the Attract Icon or the Attract IconBar) The control bar 210 allows for instant, on-screen access to severaldata sources that allow the viewer to access data related to that beingshown in the video cells 202A-F as well as other viewer channelsavailable within system 100. Those IRDs 112 that have interactivecapabilities have special buttons that correspond to the icons thatappear on the control bar 210. Each icon/button directs the viewer to adifferent screen, such as special events, or, in the case of the presentinvention, data related to real-time or near-real-time viewership ofchannels within system 100. Each screen can have sub-screens thatfurther allow related data to be viewed or otherwise analyzed by theviewer.

For example, and not by way of limitation, one of the remote control 224buttons, e.g., the “red” button 234, indicated by text and/or graphicson control bar 210, may take a viewer to the “What's Hot” page, whereviewers can review data related to viewership of shows currently beingaired within system 100.

Similarly, a “special” page can be accessed by pressing a differentbutton on the remote control 224, e.g., the “green” button 236, or theblue button 238 or yellow button 240, where viewers can view a channelor other data page. The special page can be reprogrammed by the systemprovider or the viewer based on time, or, in the case of interactivemosaic channel 200, can be done by genre. For example, and not by way oflimitation, the special page can be assigned to the NCAA bracket for a“Sports” mosaic channel 200, and, if the viewer changes to a “News”mosaic channel 200, the special page can be a breaking news channel ornews recap video loop that is provided by the system provider. There canbe more than one special “page” that is accessible from the buttons234-240, or other buttons on the remote control 224, if desired.

Monitor Displays

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate on-monitor displays of data presentation pages inaccordance with the present invention.

Page 300 is illustrated, with screen 302, popularity indicator 304,network icon 306, show name 308, trend indicator 310, viewership legend312, cursor 314, and tabs 316-326. Scroll bar 328 and control bar 330with icons 332-336 are also shown on page 300.

Screen 302 indicates via popularity indicator 304 the top shows that arebeing currently aired in system 100 by genre, the genre being indicatedby a highlighted tab 316-326. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, Sportstab 316 is highlighted. Depending on how page 300 is reached, adifferent tab 316-326 can be highlighted. For example, if page 300 isreached from a mosaic channel 200 that is sports related, the sports tab316 may be the default tab. Other mosaic channels 200, or other channelsin general, may reach different default tabs 316-326. For example, andnot by way of limitation, if the page 300 is reached from a localstation channel, the default tab may be tab 318; if the page 300 isreached from the same local station during a time period of the nationalnews broadcast, the default tab may be the national tab 320, or the newstab 324. Default tabs 316-326 can be set by the system provider or theviewer based on several factors, including viewer preferences, timeperiod, and channel origination of the page 300 request.

Network icon 306 helps to indicate which network or channel isbroadcasting the most popular show, and the program name 308 alsoindicates to the viewer the program that is currently being aired. Trendindicator 310 shows whether over a given recent time period, whether theviewership of that show has gone up or down, or if it is a new show inthe top show lineup on page 300. Viewers indicator 312 shows a relativeviewership share, or a pure number of viewers, depending on what isdesired by the system provider or viewer.

Cursor 314 allows the viewer to select a given top show for additionalinformation on that show. As shown in FIG. 3A, popularity icon 304 #6,which is a new show in the top lineup, is titled “10 Count” and iscurrently selected by cursor 314. Now, when icons 332-336 are selected,some of the icons will direct the viewer to, for example, when icon 332,the “red button” 234, is selected, the cursor 314 highlighted show willbe sent to full screen on monitor 114. If icon 336, the yellow button240, is selected, more information on the cursor 314 highlighted showwill be displayed, such as APG information or other information on theselected show that is resident within system 100. If icon 334, e.g., thegreen button 236 is selected, the tabs 316-326 are sequentially orotherwise parsed to see the top shows in other categories.

By using scroll bar 328, either by using the cursor keys 226-232 onremote control 224 or by other methods, FIG. 3B is arrived at, whichshows additional shows that are in the top viewership category for agiven tab 316-326. The same show may appear in different popularity icon304 positions depending on which tab 316-326 is selected.

FIG. 3C illustrates selection of a different category, namely, the localcategory as indicated by the highlighted local tab 318, where differentcurrently airing shows are displayed on screen 300. Selection of icon334 allows the viewer to scroll through the tabs 316-326, which willdisplay the different popular shows based on the criteria defined bytabs 316-326.

Within screen 302 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the time and date can bedisplayed, as well as an advertisement for a sponsor or an upcoming “hotevent” that will be airing in the future, such as a special sportingevent like the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the NCAA Men's Basketballtournament, or other events that may be selectable by using buttons onthe remote control 224.

FIG. 4 shows a typical data flow for the present invention.

System 100 is shown, now with callback information 400 being transmittedfrom IRD 112 through telephone wires 402 and link 404 to conditionalaccess management center 406. Each IRD 112 that is connected totelephone wires 402 makes a periodic call into the conditional accessmanagement center 402 to obtain updates to conditional access codes,request pay-per-view events, and other reasons. Typically, the call inis performed on a monthly basis, but can be performed on a daily orhourly basis if desired. At the center 406, the IRD 112 identificationnumber, current channel information, duration that the IRD was on agiven channel, etc., is cross-referenced to the zip code for a given IRD112. Once the zip code information is obtained, the card ID for that IRDis removed from the data packet 408 that is passed along to the advancedservices data center 410, such that individual viewers information is nolonger accessible. The advanced services center 410 then amalgamates thedata packets 408 from the various viewers, and places it into the properformat to be included with the viewership data pages 300 describedherein. Uplink center 118 then sends this data on uplink signals 116 tosatellites 102-106 (for ease of understanding, only satellite 102 isshown), and this data is sent down via downlink signals 120 to IRD 108.The viewership data can be sent on mosaic channels 200, or on regularchannels as a control bar 110 that is accessible from any channel thatis received and demodulated by IRD 112, as well as being accessible fromother portions of the data viewable on monitor 114, e.g., guide data.

FIG. 5 shows a guide data display of the present invention.

The present invention allows for mirroring of the live viewership datashown on the screens depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C onto the guide data displayshown in FIG. 5 that is used by viewers to find out what shows are on.For example, the guide data screen 502, which is typically a listing ofall shows that are currently being broadcast, is typically displayed byascending channel number. So, for a given time slot 504, channel number506 is shown, and cursor 508 can be placed on a given show for a givenchannel 506 which then gives additional information about thehighlighted show in text box 510. For example, and not by way oflimitation, in channel 506 listing, Channel 2 is shown first, thenchannel 3, channel 4, etc. Within the guide data screen 502, those showsthat are top rated shows can be highlighted when displayed on monitor114, or have popularity indicator 304 or other indicator displayed alongwith the guide data screen 502, e.g., in channel indicator 506, in textbox 510, or elsewhere on guide data screen 502, to indicate to a viewerthat a particular show is one of the most popular shows being viewed atthe time the guide data screen 502 is being presented.

Further, the live viewership data can be shown for all of the programslisted in the guide data screen 502 presentation, regardless of whethera given show is in the top viewership ratings. So, even a show that israted at the forty-third most popular show would have a popularityindicator 304 or other indicator that would inform the viewer that theshow in question is “43rd” in popularity. Other indicators, such astrend indicator 310, viewership legend 312, or other indicators can alsobe included with the guide data screen 502 without departing from thescope of the present invention.

Within the guide data screen 502 presentation, the control bar 210 canalso be displayed such that the genre tabs 316-326 can be accesseddirectly from the guide data presentation.

Conclusion

The present invention comprises a viewership rating system presented ona monitor. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises aprogram guide, presented on the monitor, wherein the program guidecomprises a plurality of broadcast programs, and a plurality of ratingindicators, each of the plurality of rating indicators presented on themonitor in a respective fashion with the plurality of broadcastprograms, wherein the plurality of rating indicators shows a relativepopularity of each of the plurality of broadcast programs.

Such a system further optionally includes the current viewership beingdetermined by callback information gathered from a plurality ofreceivers that are receiving the broadcast programs, a cursor, whereinthe cursor can select one of the plurality of broadcast programs,selection of one of the broadcast programs from the plurality ofbroadcast programs creating a new condition to be displayed on themonitor, the new condition comprising presenting the selected broadcastprogram on the monitor, an indicator showing a trend related to at leastone broadcast program in the plurality of broadcast programs, thedynamic viewership rating system being accessed by a selection of aremote control guide button, and a separate remote control buttonselecting a separate page display directly from a guide data display.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be limited not by this detailed description.

1. A viewership rating system presented on a monitor comprising: aprogram guide, presented on the monitor, wherein the program guidecomprises a plurality of broadcast programs; and a plurality of ratingindicators, each of the plurality of rating indicators presented on themonitor in a respective fashion with the plurality of broadcastprograms, wherein the plurality of rating indicators shows a relativepopularity of each of the plurality of broadcast programs.
 2. Theviewership rating system of claim 1, wherein the current viewership isdetermined by callback information gathered from a plurality ofreceivers that are receiving the broadcast programs.
 3. The viewershiprating system of claim 2, further comprising a cursor, wherein thecursor can select one of the plurality of broadcast programs, selectionof one of the broadcast programs from the plurality of broadcastprograms creating a new condition to be displayed on the monitor.
 4. Theviewership rating system of claim 3, wherein the new condition comprisespresenting the selected broadcast program on the monitor.
 5. Theviewership rating system of claim 4, further comprising an indicatorshowing a trend related to at least one broadcast program in theplurality of broadcast programs.
 6. The viewership rating system ofclaim 5, wherein the dynamic viewership rating system is accessed by aselection of a remote control guide button.
 7. The viewership ratingsystem of claim 6, wherein a separate remote control button selects aseparate page display directly from a guide data display.
 8. Anapparatus for determining a dynamic viewership rating of a plurality ofbroadcast programs, comprising: a broadcast delivery system, comprisinga transmitter and a receiver; a monitor, coupled to the receiver, forselectively displaying the plurality of broadcast programs and forselectively displaying guide data related to the plurality of broadcastprograms; and a feedback system, coupled to the receiver, wherein thefeedback system provides statistics about a popularity of a selectedbroadcast program which is viewed on the monitor in conjunction with theguide data.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the broadcast deliverysystem is a satellite television delivery system.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the statistics comprise a trend statistic for each ofthe plurality of broadcast programs.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the statistics further comprise an indication of a number ofother viewers that are viewing each of the plurality of broadcastprograms.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality ofbroadcast programs are presented by genre.
 13. The apparatus of claim12, wherein the feedback system is a telephone callback system.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the statistics are accessed by aselection of a remote control command button.
 15. The apparatus of claim14, further comprising a control bar, displayed on the monitor, forassisting viewers in selection of viewing of the statistics.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the statistics are presented based ongeographical location of the other viewers.